Rowlock.



H. W. KIPPES.

ROWLOCK.

APPLICATION man OCT. 2. 1916.

1,225,824., Patented May 15, 1917'.

rut Noam: PETERS co, PHO1D LITMO.. wnsniucmn. n. c.

HENRY W. KIPIPES, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

ROWLOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 15, 191 *7.

Application filed October 2, 1916. Serial N 0. 123,350.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY XV. KIPPES, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Brooklyn, in the county of Queens and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rowlocks, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to boats and buoys and more particularly to new and useful improvements in rowlocks and the like.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a rowlock adapted for use in connection with rowboats and the like which may be quickly and easily installed, is simple in construction, strong and durable and effective in operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide a rowlock having improved ball-bearing means associated therewith for facilitating the rowing process, reducing wear on the oar and reducing the amount of labor necessary to propel a boat.

Other objects and advantages to be de-- rived from the use of my improved rowlock will appear from the following detailed description of the claims, taken with an inspection of the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a rowlock embodying the improvements of my invention; and

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same, a portion thereof being broken away.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, wherein similar characters of reference designate like and corresponding parts throughout the various views, 10 designates the bottom supporting brace, the same being curved in configuration and formed with foot portions 11 which are attached to the gunwales of a rowboat by means of bolts 12.

A stem 13 is carried by the brace 10, said stem being threaded throughout its length for a purpose which will hereinafter appear. The stem is provided with flat portions 14 at the ends for purposes which will hereinafter appear. A head 15 is formed on the lower end of the stem 13, said head engaging the under surface of the brace 10.

A rowlock supporting wheel is provided and designated 16, the same having a central opening 17 through which the stem 13 projects, said wheel being provided with enlarged recesses 18 and 19 on its opposite sides communicating and concentric with the opening 17. The recesses 18 and 19 form runways for the balls 20 and 21, cones 22 and 23, respectively, being engaged with said balls. The cones 22 and 23 are in threaded engagement with the stem 13, looking Washers 24 and 25 serving to prevent displacement of the cones. Dust plates 26 are receivable over the washers 24 and 25, said plates having openings therein conforming to the cross section of the stem at its flattened ends, the flat portions of the stem cooperating with the plates to prevent turning of the same. A nut 27 is carried by the upper end of the stem 13 and serves to retaln the cone members, plates, washers and said stem on the brace 10.

A U-shaped frame 28 provided with legs 29 is carried by the upper surface of the wheel 16, said legs 29 having foot portions 30 connected to the wheel by means of bolts 31 or the like. The U-shaped frame 28 is adapted to receive the oar and it will be seen that the wheel and frame are adapted to oscillate with the oar as the same is used during the rowing process.

In using my improved rowlock it will be apparent that the excessive wear present in the older types of rowlocks is not present in my improved device, particularly in view of the fact that the rowlock moves with the oar, thereby removing one of the greatest sources of friction in connection with devices of this character. My improved rowlock may be as readily applied to the gunwales of a rowboat, as the ordinary type of rowlock, in fact, in some instances my improved rowlock may be more readily applied. It is unnecessary to bore any holes in the gunwales of a boat to apply my improved rowlocks thereto, the bolts 12 not necessarily being employed, since screws would as readily serve the purpose.

From the above description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it is thought that a clear and comprehensive understanding of the construction, operation and advantages of my invention may be had, and while I have shown and described the device as embodying a specific structure, I desire that it be understood that such changes may be made in said structure as do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A rowlock of the class described including a bottom brace adapted to be secured to the gunnel of a boat, a stem projecting upwardly therefrom, a circular plate having a centrally disposed opening therethrough journaled on said stem, ball-bearing means associated therewith, a U-frame adapted to receive an oar, and arcuate outwardly and downwardly projecting arms 6X- tending from the base portion of said frame and secured to the top of the plate at diametrically opposite points adjacent the marginal edge thereof.

2. A rovvlock of the class described including a bottom brace adapted to be secured to the gunnel of a boat, a bolt eX- tending upwardly therethrough, a circular plate having a centrally disposed opening mounted on sald bolt, the upper and lower faces of said plate having recesses therein 20 surrounding the opening, ball-bearings in said recesses, bearing cones to hold said balls in position, stationary washers adjacent the ends of the bolt to hold the cones in the recesses, a locking nut on the upper end of said bolt, a top brace on the upper surface of the plate, and an integral U-frame carried thereby and adapted to receive an oar.

In testimony whereof, I a'IiiX my signature hereto.

HENRY W. KIPPES.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each,'by addressing the Commissioner 0! Patents,

Washington, D. O." 

